Telpher system



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. J. VAN DEPOELE.

TELPHER SYSTEM.

No. 429,747. Patented June 10, 1890.

Qwuawtoz Charles J Vc'znDepoele 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

0. J. VAN DEPOELE.

TELPHER SYSTEM.

No; 429,747. Patented June 10, 1890.

Eli:

F NA" wuamboz wivtweooao/ Charles J. WznDepoe Ze which the following isa description.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. VAN DEPOELE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELPHER SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,747, dated June 10,1890.

Application filed May 13, 1887. Serial No. 238,049. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. VAN DE- POELE,a citizen of theUnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lelpher Systems,of

The present invention relates to improvements in systems of telpherage,and is partly an improvement on the systems for which Letters Patent No.329,104 were granted to me October 27, 1885, and No. 331,851, Decemher8, 1885; and it further consists in the various details of construction,arrangement, and operation hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing asystem of cableconveying apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is adetail View of the commutator-brushes and their shifting and settingmechanism. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the supporting and drivingwheels and connections. Fig. at is an elevation, partly in section,showing one of the buckets and its supporting and carrying attachments.

Similar letters and numerals denote like parts throughout.

I11 the drawings, A represents the motor-car, upon which is mounted anelectro-dynamic motor a of any desired pattern. This car is supported bystrong metallic arms B B, extending upward therefrom and secured attheir upper extremities to the axles b of a pair of grooved supportingand driving wheels C C, which travel upon a strong metallic cable D,which is supported in any suitable manner upon posts d, placed atsuitable or convenient distances along the route to be traversed. Theconductor D is connected directly to the source of electricity through amanual-switch E and conductor E, and the main current is led to themotor from one of the traction-wheels-for example, the wheel C-and isreturned to a second (negative) conductor F, through a small additionalroller f, which is insulated from the rest of the frame, but inconnection with the motor-circuit; but I may, if preferred, use a secondadditional roller f for taking the current from the main conductor D,instead of using one of the main traction-wheels, the reason for whichwill be explained. The length of the trains to be run upon thiscable-way by one motor will vary according to the steepness of thegrades to be overcome and the general strength and design of theinstallation, and therefore, for the sake of illustration, I have onlyshown two buckets as attached and one motor car, the principle being thesame whether two or twenty are so attached. In any event the entiretrain is so connected as to move together as a unit.

G and H are two separate vehicles in the form of buckets, within whichthe freight to be transported by the system is deposited. Their size,shape, and material will depend upon the nature of their use; but in thepresent instance I have shown them as metallic caldrons of the shapeusually used in hauling and handling ores and coal. Each bucket issupported by a strong metallic bail g, which is pivotally connected tothe bucket at about its central point, and, extending upward, is securedupon the axle or axis h of a carrying-wheel I, by which it is whollysupported upon the cable D. The buckets are prevented from jostlingagainst each other or in any way changing their relative positions bymeans of connecting-rods J, which are placed upon and extend between thepivotal supports of each of the buckets. Each'bucket is further providedwith a projecting boss j near its lower edge, upon which bosses aresecured other connecting-rods J, from the foremost one of which extendsa rod K, which is formed with a slot 7c in its free end which engages apin k extending from a pivoted leverarm K, mounted upon thebearing ofthe armature-shaft of the motor, said lever-arm being in position toengage a projection 7c, extending from the commutator-brush carrier, bymeans of which, when the buckets are dumped to discharge their contents,the position of the said commutator brushes will be reversed by thethrust of the rod K against pin the direction of rotation of thearmature of the motor reversed and the train carried back to itsstarting-point. From the last link J extends an arm L, and when thetrain has reached the end of 'its route, where it is desired to emptythe buckets by inverting them, said arm L will strike against a stopplaced to receive it, and by so doing will, through the remaininginertia of the moving buckets, completely invert them, the bosses jtraversing the path shown by the dotted ar rows and coming to restagainst the bails at the point marked 1. The bossesj being placedrearward of the vertical center of the bucket-s, the buckets will becompletely inverted and remain in that position until forcibly turnedback. At the same time that the buckets are inverted, as just described,the arm R will, as described, operate to throw the arm K and shift thecommutator-brushes and place the motor in condition to start backautomatically with its load of inverted buckets, The motion of the rod Kwhen the buckets are reversed is forward from the position shown in fulllincs,l1ig. 1, and then backward to the dotted position shown. It isdesired during that movement to throw the arm K to its rearward positionand leave it there. This is accomplished by the slot in the rod K, whichallows the said rod to throw the arm K forward and then complete its ownbackward movement without affecting the arm K, the pin 71'. being movedto the other end of the slot, which is of a length sufiicient to admitof the necessary movement.

In each of the main carrying-wheels included in the train I insert alining of rubber, or some other such material, which, being somewhatelastic in its nature, will very greatly increase the tractivc power ofthe wheels on the cable and counteract the great tendency to slip onupgrades or when the cable is wet or icy, and will also very greatlydecrease the wear thereupon, and in that manner very much prolong itslife. I also provide for utilizing the tractive power of all the weightto be moved, since it would otherwise often happen that thcelectromotor, while capable of moving the train attached to it, would bewholly unable to do so because of insufficient traction upon its ownsupport ing-wheels, to increase which to the point of enabling; themotor-car to pull all it could would unnecessarily add to the cost ofmoving the train. I attain most satisfactory results without increasedexpense by connecting each of the axles 71. of the supportingwheels I bylinks M, which correspond with the links J between thebuckets and serveto keep said carrying-wheels in fixed relation to each other.

In Fig. 3 I have shown three sets of carrying-wheels I, all connected bylinks M, as will be readily understood, and when more buckets are usedthe same arrangement is continued throughout. Upon the axles 71,connected as described, I place sprocket-wheels 0, supplying each axlewith a pair of sprocketwhcelsone on each sidealthongh a single one isall that is required for the last bucket in the train, and upon thesesprocket-wheels are placed endless link chains Q, each chain extendingfrom the sprocket-wheel of one bucket to the sprocket-wheel of the nexton one side and from the opposite sprocket-wheel to the one on the nextcar on the same side,

and so on up to the main sprocket-wheel O of the motor, as indicated indotted lines in.

said Fig. and shown in full in Fig. 1. In this manner all the supportingwheels throughout the train will be positively coir nected, so thattheir entire tractive force can be used to propel them along the cable.

I do not limit myself to necessary connection of all the wheels in eachtrain under any and all conditions, because it may happen that a lessnumber will answer the purpose; but I propose to use all the wheels, asdescribed, wherever it may be necessary to do so.

It is a bin or structure from which the buckets are loaded throughspouts S, placed the proper distance apart to discharge into the bucketswhich are returned to their position for loading while still inverted,as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and are then rightcd and loaded,after which they are ready to repeat their journey. Upon thearmature-shaft a of the motor is placed the usual commutator-brushholder M, to which is secured a hand-lever a for opcratin g the motor.Upon the said armature-shaft, or upon the main bearing '1 therefor, isjournalcd the inner end of the link K, attached to the revcrsing-rod K,and to the extremity of the said armature shaft is attached a gear-wheelif, which meshes with a gear-wheel 25', mounted upon an independentshaft U, secured to the motor-frame in a convenient manner and providedwith a sprocket-wheel a, which is connected by a link belt Q with thesprocketavheel (1 upon the axes of the supporting-wheels C C of themotor.

From the sprocket-wheel 0, attached to wheel 0, is connected the linkedbelt Q, cxtending rearward to the s n'ockct-whcel 0 of the bucket (:l.The carrying-wheel C of the motoris shown as all metal,in order thatitmay act as a traveling contact to takethc current from the mainconductor D to the motor. If, however, it should be found desirable, Imay provide this wheel also with the anti-friction lining '1', andattach a small roller between the carrying-wheels C C for the solepurpose of forming the traveling connection between the motor and themain conductor. The main conductor is shown as having two terminals 1and 2, both of them in the path of the switch E, leading from the sourceof supply. The motor-carriage is provided at its front end with a pin orprojection V, and there is also provided a stop or abutment \V, and asthe train returns to its original position it is intended that its speedshall be checked by a suitable arrangement of grades to a point whereits momentum will not be capable of inflicting damage to the apparatuswhen it will come to rest against the abutment \V, at which time theprojection V will strike the switch E, throwing it off from contact 1,and breaking the main circuit. \Vhile in this condition the invertedbuckets may be rightcd, when, being in position in front of theirloading-spouts, they can be readily loaded for asecond trip. The link Khaving been moved away from the pin It when the buckets were righted,the commutator brushes can now be moved to their forward position by thehandle a without obstruction, after which, by moving the switch E stillfarther and onto the contact 2, the main circuit will be again completedand the train when loaded started on another trip. After the train hasstarted or has been moved, say, a few inches, the switchE is to be movedback into its first position on contact 1, so as to be ready to receivethe blow of the projection V on the return of the ap paratus.

Although I have described my invention with particularity and exactness,I do not limit myself to the precise details shown, since various minormodifications and changes may be made without departing from the spiritof the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Pat ent, is-

1. In a system of telpherage, the combination of a cable, a motor-car,and one or more freight-vehicles arranged to travel thereupon, thesupporting-wheels of the vehicle and those on the motor-car beingmechanically connected, substantially as described.

2. In a system of telpherage, the combination of a cable, a motor-car,and one or more freight-carsthereon,sprocket-wheelsattached to thesupporting-wheels thereof, and endless belts connecting the separatesets of sprock etwheels, substantially as described.

3. In a system of telpherage, the combination of a cable,supportingwvheels traveling thereon and provided with sprocket-wheelsupon the axes, vehicles depending from said supporting-wheels, rigidseparating-links between said supporting-wheels, and mechanicalconnections consisting of a power-transmitting connection between theseparate sets of sprocket-wheels throughout the train, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a system of telpherage, the combination, with a motor-car andfreight vehicles or buckets, of carrying-wheels supported upon the maincable, bails carried by the axles of the Wheels for supporting saidbuckets, rigid mechanical connections between the points at which saidbails are connected to the buckets, and similar connections between theaxes of the several supporting-wheels,whereby the bucket-s are caused tomove in fixed relation with each other, substantially as described.

5. In an electric railway, the combination of the traveling vehicle andan electric motor for actuating it with a buffer, and lever mechanismoperated by said buffer to change the relative position of thecommutator-sections with the brushes to reverse the motor, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

6. In a system of telpherage, the combination, with a motor-car andfreight-vehicles attached thereto, of mechanical connections between thesaid vehieles, said connections terminating at one end in a projectingarm and at the other in a link connected to the commutator-brush holderof the motor and adapted when moved rearward, as on striking a stop, toshift the brushes of the commutator, substantially as described.

7. In a system of telpherage, the combination, with a motor-car,vehicles or buckets for receiving the freight, suitable pivotal supportsfor said buckets, and a series of connecting-links extending throughoutthe train and terminating at one end in a projecting arm and at theother in a pivoted link connected with the commutator-brush carrier, ofthe motor, whereby when the buckets are inverted the brushes of themotor will be moved to a reverse position and automatically start thetrain backward, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a motor-car and motor, a journaled lever andconnections extending therefrom to the vehicles and acommutator-brushholder provided with a projection or stop in the path of the journaledlever and with a handle extendingfrom the motorcar for returning thebrushes to their forward position, substantially as described.

9. In a system of telpherage, the combination, with the motor-car, of aswitch in the main circuit, and a projection on said car arranged tomove said switch and open the main circuit when said car is returned toits first position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES J VAN DEPOELE? WVitnesses:

WVILLIAM A. STILEs, W. A. KREIDLER.

